Emir had whispered in his ear near
seven years ago upon his leave of the Faery People. "Seek the
delightful land beyond all dreams. Beyond what seems to us most fair,
rich fruits abound the bright year round and flowers are found of hues
most rare." In these years of wandering he had not found such lands
she spoke on. His heart had become homesick for that which he once knew.

He had made friends along the way, few and far
between, but all had been left behind as a new mission took him away.
The cry of battle and the clash of steel still rang in his ears as well
the blood coated blades to drip. The sound of last breaths taken would
haunt his dreams. Most killings held no purpose even if his skill
had him walking away from each battlefield whether it was won or not. He
had survived wounds most men could not. The hardest was
making friends only to see life's light fade from their eyes. The losses
became more than he could bare so in solitude he would spend most of his
days. The sun rose and set each day as it seemed his path held no end.
Discouragement had set in but still he continued. "The star at
the end of the darken trail will dim to near not seen. Never
give up that which calls to you to follow, Padriach." Emir's words
would be recalled and give him heart once more

Padriach had found the
open field one had directed him to. A long night of drinking
but even longer were his travels that when blended sent the man into a
deep sleep. The kind that was long overdue and so heavy that dreams
eluded. A healing sleep of body shutting out the mind for once. Wounds
of the mind were harder to heal than the wounds or exhaustion of
the body. He laid stripped down to just his britches upon his cloak
spread out over the cushion of grass. Stardust had wandered off into the
woods not far from where he slept. Ever the vigil was kept on his
master. Somewhere in the vast void sweet singing lifted him up on those
dream planes.

*Where
glows the Irish hearth with peat, there lives a subtle spell -- the
faint blue smoke, the gentle heat, the moorland odours tell. Of white
roads winding by the edge of bare, untamed land. Where dry stone wall or
ragged hedge runs wide on either hand. To cottage lights that lure you
in from rainy western skies; and by the friendly glow within of simple
talk and wise. And tales of magic, love or arms from days when princes
met. To listen to the lay that charms, the Connach peasant yet. There
honour shines through passions dire, there beauty blends with mirth --
With hearts, ye never did aspire wholly for things of earth! Cold, cold
this thousand years -- yet still your pride, your truth, your dauntless
will burn on from age to age. And still around the fires of peat live on
the ancient days; there still do living lips repeat the old and
deathless lays. And when the wavering wreaths ascend, blue in the
evening air, the soul of Ireland seems to bend above her children there.

He
decided to stay about and meet those of Hibernia's soul that had
wandered so far from home, in space and in time to these lands
called Heathfield. Distant thought that he should explore these
lands for Emir's words once more rang in his inner ear. Could it be?
-- Delightful is the land beyond all dreams, beyond what seems to thee
most fair.. Rich fruits abound the bright year round and flowers are
found of hues most rare. Unfailing there the honey and vine and draughts
divine of mead there be, no ache or ailing night or day, death or decay
thou ne'er shalt see. The mirthful feast and joyous play and music's
sway all blest, benign, silver untold and store of gold undreamt by the
old shall all be thine. A hundred swords of steel refined, a hundred
cloaks of kind full rare, a hundred steeds of proudest breed, a hundred
hounds thy meet when there. A hundred maidens young and fair of blithesome
air shall tend on thee. Of form most meet, as fairies fleet, and of song
more sweet than the wild thrust free. That
night had been the first milestone for Padriach in the seven years he wandered
from that day long ago in time in a walk taken.

The dance of the Faery
goddess woven by threads if lilting melody became
intermingle with the songs and toasts in the tavern, caste
with the swirl of midnight and stars. New beginnings seemed to be the theme
shared by many here and he might well be another drawn. Like attract
like. Lost in that twilight, Padriach was sorting things out until the
slant of the dawn's new light washed over his sleeping face. The lilt
of song swirled away when moondust melted into sunlight. He stirred with
the lift of heavy lids to watch a cricket move about in the grass. He had not found a way back to the time of Lugh
or his father Cuchullin and so settled in that his destiny was here. He
might not ever be able to return if Fate had other plans. One had to
find out to be sure first and not just accept it was Fate's hand. There
was a fine line in knowing the difference and more, acceptance. The
air is as the soul's energy itself, revitalizing as deeper
breaths were taken. The haze of sleep taking a few moments to clear before
he was up to find a lake to wash in and begin the new day in a
new home.

Along
the Shores

The
thundering crash of evening tides swelling against the battered rocks,
soothed and coaxed her heart. It was the loud sounds that drowned
out all else. The sun pulling the blanket of the sea over himself
and allowing the slender sliver of the moon to raise in glory in the
heavens. Reilea watched, pale blue eyes struck in awe, as each
event unfolded. Hours spent in the bitter slash of damp wind.
But, she was a creature of the cold. Veins that could sustain
solid ice if needed. Even if her soul was as brilliant and warm as
the sun. How many here had seen that from her thus far? She
certainly could not count them on her fingers. Wrapped in the
powder blue shawl of soft lambs wool; beneath that twilight color that
remained in theme dawned comfortably in a silk slip about her.
Nearly ruined for the droplets that splattered up against her. Set
had remained on that perch, an element beaten boulder that
provided the grandest view. At least, from the low vantage she was
at.

Padriach had finally
come to the conclusion, that .. for whatever reason ... the
Faeries and Druids had decided he was here, in these lands, for a
duration. First he had spent a lot of time trying to find a way back.
Next he started to meet others but then was incline to go exploring
... a lot. This place was a vortex for him that he kept coming back to.
A center point. He wasn't sure of the knowledge gained in the time
corridor portal but he was finding out he knew a lot of things he
never knew he knew. Odd that, but then much had been odd for
Patrick from the moment he was born. He was use to odd, he was not use
to stagnant, boxed in, concepts. This day had him out exploring that
took him to the cliffs along the coast. Stone paths that had been set by
the hands of god and goddesses were followed that wound him from
tremendous heights to the sands below where the waves crashed in claim
but would leave their daily gifts, treasures of shells and sea
creatures. It was here, when he ventured out closer to the ocean he
caught sight of blue, drawing him around on a heel to face the one up on
her perch.

"It is most
interesting, the amount of beauty and peace that is found in such a site
of chaos." Reilea didn't look his way at first. Though
a smile began to lift on her lips. The silhouette of seagulls
swooping down to catch the glittered fish that were flipping into brief
sight. The chaos was the slamming waves against those cliffs.
Like a Spring thunderstorm that swore the worst was yet to come.
Drawing in a deep breath of that salty air, Reilea turned those glacial
eyes to look on Padriach. She bore no ill-kept ideas on him.
In fact, it was his curiosity in that previous meeting that lead her to
think well of him. He was one that took steps to learn.
"It is good to see you again, Padriach." The honesty
there in the shimmer of her eyes.

Wool
sweater of golden brown was worn over heavy tweed dark brown pants.
Boots laced up beneath his knees and overturned in a cuff of a lighter shade.
Leather straps crisscrossed over the sweater that had various items kept
secured on his person. A hooded windbreaker over all but was left open
as thumbs hooked in the belt of his pants. Hood was down as the sea's
breeze tossed strand of curls about on his head. He watched her without
saying a word for she seemed so serene here he didn't have the heart to
intrude on that. Eventually she would see him but he stayed in place as
to make that not too soon. Once she looked his way the smile tipped
easily. "You have found a spot to call your own, Reilea." Eyes
of russet burned a flame to her glacial ones in contrast.
"Quite beautiful." Turning towards the sea and which when he
looked real close he could make out a few ships on the horizon.

"I
am eager to see what this look like when the snow begins to
fall." She remember that he had not seen Winter yet,
experienced what there truly was within it. But in a world that
was a contrast to her own, she yearned for the soft white powder that
would blanket the lands. "Have you found a place to call
your own?" Tipping her head to the side enough, that those
silvery-blonde strands billowed against her neck and cheeks. She
patted the spot beside her on the boulder, offering silently. If
he would like to sit. Reilea would not coax when his preference
might be in remaining standing.

"I have a
cottage granted me a short distance in from the cliffs way up
there." Turning as a thumb slid from its holstered position so he
could point with his forefinger. Well, direction of wind had the
pointing finger move slow until a spot was found exact where if one
were to fly right up there and back two hundred yards, they'd find the
cottage he chose. When he felt all contact was severed, it was
when he procured the home. A table, one chair and a pallet on the
floor. Oddly, he found money the next day setting on the table. Like a
pot of gold it was and then he knew they were seeing to bringing some
of his inheritance. A double blade sword for it had him wondering if
they were disposing of him here to live out his years, like it or not,
or only some sort of test in a learning experience. His hand falling
away as a boyish grin sprung to life while he took up her invitation.
He was over in quickening flash, much like an Elf in movement but he
wasn't Elf. Up and settled before she could blink. The look on his
features beamed with approval in her choice.

It was that look
that had her letting out a soft, merry laugh. It amused and
softened her even more around him. The only tidbit that had her
eyes ever intent on him, was the speed. She knew this quickness.
"You move like thewizen ones. They always tricked
me, too fast for even me to outwit." It was another flavor
of home. Her eyes went dreamy at the thought of how she ran
through the frozen woods with those Wizen leading her about.
Eventually to find the brightest winter blooms or cold fruits.
Curious and ever bold, Reilea lifted a hand to sweep back those curls
of his and touch down on his ears. Did they have the same
points?

"I would like
to think I am one of the Wizen Ones but I fear I fall short and that
is why they sent me here. You are not from here?" This much he
picked up on this near as he had not been so close to
her before. His skin was warm and there were no points on his ears but
she might noticed the golden cast to his skin like an underlying
illumination, or translucent veil so sheer one would not notice until
near. "You have that of ice about you but you are not cold. You
are a paradox to what seems and what is."

"I am from
behind the looking glass. Or more, that is the best way for me
to explain it. Something happened and I cannot find out how to
get back." You would think that any mirror might work as
well. There, she waswrong. Tucking that curl
behind his ear, she gave him that soft smile. He really wasn't
so bad at all. Perhaps they were both caught on days that were
bad. Or it was the common situation that didn't mesh well in the
beginning."There might be more to why you are here, if
you were sent." A light frown tugged at the corner of her
lips. She wasn't sent. She made a mistake.

He made a soft humming
sound under his breath as he thought on what she had to say. It wasn't
all that much different from his. "Mirror you say. Not all that
unlike the bending of time, reflected back or forward and a fissure
fallen through. I found that not just any field will work walking
backwards through." Which implied he had tried a few. Slow smile
brought about a dimple. "Maybe you can believe when I say, I am
from the beginning of mankind when both children lived side by side and
propagated together. Time of demigods, Lugh the long arm and his son
Cuchullin. He married as his legends preceded him, to Emir and they had
children. The story of changelings and prices paid, one of this legend
was taken away to the Hollow Hills they call them now. A universe in its
own beneath a great mountain only those of not mere mortal eyes can
see even if they be part mortal." She might notice the russet of
his eyes grew more red in fissures that appeared to move like silent
flames.

"That is one of
the many beginnings. Each culture looked into the reflections
differently. The cold surface of the mirror captured all."
There was much that she had learned in the long libraries within the Ice
Castle. "Then you would not find it odd that I am beyond
years that is common to man that walks here. Little by little, I
am discovering why it might have been this land that I fell into."
She turned to watch the curling waves for a moment, dragging in a scared
breath. Even if she spent many months here, she still had that
tremble of fear.

What had become of
Eisoria? Or what had
not? "Oh, you'd be
much luckier than I then. I be thinking it be the pranking of the Faery
Folk in getting even with some of the demigods. Tell me what you have
discovered so far that lends you to believe it was a destiny set rather
than some mishap to be falling ye." His accent getting richer as he
became more comfortable, to the point he laid back against the boulder.
Sky above became his focus as a smile trickled thoughtfully. "I
would not be surprised on anyone's age considering my own and I don't be
looking a day over twenty and five."

"Well, there is
still the mishap. But then there is this unique scent and song in
the land. It calls out to all. Those deemed normal and far
from normal." With a turn, she looked over her shoulder upon
him, watching how herelaxed and fell into an ease around
her now. It brought another smile to finally curve her lips.
"The Wizen Ones are known for their tricky ways. Pranksters
at heart, no matter the plethora of knowledge they contain."
A handreached back and brushed those fingertips along his cheek
before falling away. "You will learn the meaning of it all
soon. When it is all right. That is the only hope that I
hold onto for myself."

"Aye, there is a
song here that spans the ages, the same one that lures those of a heart.
Knowledge abounds in more ways than most perceive and not even know they
are picking up upon. The song of a bird in tones, the sweep of a breeze
upon the meadow and the draw of a smile." Red toned eyes turning on
her with the last so he didn't miss her smile. "Wizen Ones are not
with their noses stuff in a book like some bookmark conception but
tricky old devils that never age be they appear that way or no. I will
learn. I am destined to learn but it won't be getting me cottage
furnished and made into a home. This is home, I know this now and each
day will bring me closer as the why of it all." He was that quick
to capture her hand back as he brought it up to his lips. Eyes held to
hers as he touched each fingertip against the cushion of lips in a tiny
kiss before lowered and released.

"I miss a home.
The room in the Thistle is soft and accommodating, but it still loses
the comforts that a hearth provides." He might understand her
meaning, no matter the cryptic of her speech. She watched,
studied him close ashe captured her hand and touched the pads
against the warm softness of his lips. It was a comfort that
flooded her senses. Unexplainable. She shifted, turning her
whole body to face him more before those pale blues took note ofhim
more. He was as lost as she. As accepting as she. It
was that further comfort of knowing another that understands the plight.
"I can help, if you would like. To create a more comfortable
abode." She'd let him decide.

"For sure I would
be liking that." He moved to his side then up as he'd been studying
her too. "Not too frilly but making it seem like a woman had her
touch, I can be saying it was me own mother." Wink added as he was
down from the perch and a hand held out for her to take. "The
commons is still open and vendors calling their wares and it was me own
mother that had said, there be nothing like the present me dear Padriach
to stop collecting dust and make good use of yer hands."

That was simply too
much to keep her in a straight face. The merry trill of her laugh
came with a soft draw as she slid down from the boulder and took up his
hand. "Your mother sounds like she would make one smile and
cringe in worry of chores at the same time. A good woman
then." Rei watched him for a moment before looking ahead.
"Then let us visit the commons and you could tell me of your mother
along the way?"

"Aye
but she did. Only good news was I didn't mind. I found keeping me
hands busy allowed me mind to figure things out without me even knowing
it." Hard working sounding like a lazy man's way out. Her hand in
his was swallowed up as he tucked her close then started looking for the
trail he found that led down here. "Be gorrah, I be thinking the
Faery Folk be living here also, not just their descendants." Like
they had followed him to continue their prankster ways when lo and
behold as the words slipped past his lips, there was the trail. "We
be getting to it quickly lass before they roll it up the side of
the cliff on us." Ushering her with him in a quicken step and so it
would be how it was all the way to the marketplace.